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December 2010

December 26, 2010

According to a source, the Rangers have reached a one-year deal with free agent right-hander Brandon Webb. The deal is pending a physical, which is expected to be completed earlier this week. Webb has pitched in just one game over the last two seasons because of shoulder problems, but won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006 with Arizona.

Webb was a three time All-Star with the Dianmondbacks and is 87-62 for his career.

He had shoulder surgery last summer. It was performed by Rangers team doctor Keith Meister.

December 21, 2010

The Texas Rangers and former National League Cy Young winner Brandon Webb continue to work toward a contract for next season, and sources said that there are plans for him to speak later today on the phone with manager Ron Washington and pitching coach Mike Maddux.

Webb, a right-hander, is seeking a one-year deal low in guaranteed money but loaded with incentives, according to a source. The Rangers typically like to have an option year included with deal for high-risk players, but Webb's agent, Jonathan Maurer, has told teams that Webb wants only one year.

The Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs are also believed to be interested, but a source said that Webb wants to play for the Rangers.

Webb, who turns 32 in May, won the Cy Young award in 2006 with Arizona and was the runner-up the next two seasons.

But he hasn't pitched since Opening Day of the 2009 season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2009. Keith Meister, the Rangers' team physician, performed the operation on the teres major muscle near the shoulder blade, and Webb finally returned after a few setbacks to pitch this year the instructional league for Arizona.

December 18, 2010

Outfielder Endy Chavez, who spent the entire 2010 season with the Texas organization rehabbing from right knee surgery, is one of three non-roster players the Rangers have signed to minor-leauge contracts with spring training invitations.

Chavez, 32, is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Right-hander Seth McClung and infielder Brian Barden will also head to Surprise in February. McClung was released by Florida last spring and didn't play in 2010. He went 3-3 in 2009 for Milwaukee.

December 16, 2010

The Rangers have signed a Japanese outfielder, a Dutch infielder and a Dominican right-hander who pitched last year in Mexico to minor-league contracts that do not include invitations to big-league camp.

Hirotoshi Onaka becomes the second Japanese player the Rangers have signed this off-season, along with righty Yoshinori Tateyama. Onaka, 22, played four seasons at International Pacific University, hitting .327 in his career. He's a switch-hitter who plays center field.

Nick Urbanus hales from the Netherlands and is also a switch-hitter. Signed Nov. 30, Urbanus is 30 years old and plays shortstop.

Yhency Brazoban has spent part of five seasons in the major leagues, but hasn't pitched there since 2008. He was a handy reliever for Minatitlan and Mexico City last year in the Mexican League, going 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA and 9.99 strikeouts per nine innings.

December 14, 2010

Even though the Rangers missed out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, Texas manager Ron Washington believes the team has the pitching depth to replace Lee. He hopes that doesn't mean moving either Neftali Feliz or Alexi Ogando into the rotation.

Both of the right-handers will be stretched out this spring, but Washington is hoping that's as far as it goes.

"That will be the last resort," Washington said. "I trust that Jon Daniels will find something to help us out. If that becomes a necessity, we're fortunate we have that depth. If that does not become a necessity, we'll keep those guys where they are."

Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton saw how much work the Rangers did to try and keep Cliff Lee. But Hamilton, who is arbitration eligible and could be in line for a contract extension, is't getting wrapped up in finances.

"I really haven't thought about it," the AL most valuable player said. "To me, you think about one season at a time. What's supposed to happen will happen. It really sent a good message to our players to see them go after him the way they did."

Hamilton has been too busy hunting with his wife this offseason to worry about his contract.

CEO Chuck Greenberg and general manager Jon Daniels said moments ago in a conference call that they were told on Monday that Cliff Lee was willing to come back to the Rangers, but they decided to not meet his request for a seventh guaranteed year. Lee then agreed to a five-year deal with Philadelphia, who traded him to Seattle a year ago today.

"In this instance, it was simply a matter of us saying, `yes,' " Greenberg said. "But it would have been a matter of us saying 'yes' on terms that we weren't comfortable with. This was not a matter of Cliff making a decision not to come to Texas. He was willing to remain a Ranger, but it was on terms that we felt went beyond the aggressive parameters within which we were already operating."

"Had we been willing to go beyond the parameters that we were willing to go, he would be here. But we didn't think that was in the long-term best interest of the franchise."

Daniels said that there were many back-and-forth moments between Rangers officials and Lee agent Darek Braunecker during the day, but ultimately the request for a seventh year was too much. The Rangers' final offer was six years for $138 million with a vesting option for a seventh year that would have paid another $23 million.

"We went as far as we were comfortable going on a terms standpoint," Daniels said.

December 13, 2010

Give credit for the younger players for staying up late on a busy news night. Just got off the phone with Derek Holland, who was a little stunned by the Cliff Lee decision.

"I thought it was between us and the Yankees," Holland said. "I didn't even know the Phillies were in it."

Now Holland, like everyone else with the Rangers, has to look forward. Holland could figure prominently now in the rotation, which is something he hoped would happen regardless of Lee's decision.

"I know nothing's been given to me," he said. "I still have a job I have to take care of. Even if he was here, there were still spots open to be won. I can't worry about him not being with us. We've still got a great club. We'll be all right."

Left-hander Cliff Lee won't be returning to the Texas Rangers. He has accepted fewer years and fewer dollars to pitch for Philadelphia, the team that traded him away a year ago.

The Rangers got the news around 11 p.m. They had been contacted earlier Monday by agent Darek Braunecker that Lee wanted seven guaranteed years to sign, said two baseball sources, and Rangers officials met into the evening to decide what they would do.

"Let's give the guy some credit. How many people criticize players for running after the last dollar?" general manager Jon Daniels said. "Cliff didn't do that. He made a decision for other reasons, and I have to respect that."

Only late Monday were the Phillies identified as a player for Lee. The Rangers and Yankees had long been regarded as the two front-runners to land him. The Yankees reportedly offered six years with a player option, for a total value of $154 million. A source said the Rangers offered six years with a vesting option. The total package would have been $161 million, but only $138 million was guaranteed.

CEO Chuck Greenberg, who went to Arkansas on Thursday to give Lee a "menu" of options to consider, declined comment late Thursday.

Lee went 4-6 with a 3.98 ERA for the Rangers in 15 starts after he was acquired July 9 in a six-player trade with Seattle. He won his first three starts of the playoffs before losing twice in the World Series, the first Fall Classic in franchise history.

Now, the Rangers will turn their attention to a backup plan for the rotation. Right-handers Zack Greinke and Matt Garza are available via a trade, and the Rangers have talked about moving Neftali Feliz from the closer's role to the rotation. The free-agent pool is headed by righty Carl Pavano.